Carlos José Yánez Benítez (Zaragoza / ES), Francisca García Moreno (Madrid / ES), Piotr Koleda (Wroclaw / PL), Henrique Alexandrino (Coimbra / PT), Sergio Baptista (Tomar / PT), Gustavo Pereira Fraga (Campinas / BR), Luís Ferreira (Madeira / PT), Carlos Mesquita (Coimbra / PT)
Abstract text (incl. references and figure legends)
Introduction: DSTC is an IATSIC course with 27 years of history, focused on teaching surgical skills for trauma care. It is an essential course that addresses the "second hour" beyond ATLS. Initially focused on the surgeon, it evolved into a team course, including anesthetists (DATC) and a nursing team (DPNTC). Our objective was to review its worldwide development in the last five years and assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the program.
Methods: The authors designed a descriptive study to analyze DSTC, DATC, and DPNTC registries among 25 countries. The total number of courses delivered from 2018 to August 2022 and the DSTC to DSTC+DATC ratio were studied. Frequency, percentage, and proportion of course types were calculated by country. Additionally, faculty perceptions from Spain, Portugal, and Brazil, were assessed by answering an anonymous online survey regarding content and methodology.
Results: 138 DSTC courses were delivered during the studied period, of which 70 (51%) were DSTC + DATC. The authors did not find registries for the DPNTC courses. The five counties with the most DSTC courses offered were: Brazil 18 (13%), Sweden 16 (12%), Australia 12 (9%), Spain 11 ( 8%), and South Africa 10 (7%). The DSTC + DATC to DSTC overall ratio was almost 2:1. The total number of courses delivered worldwide during the COVID-19 outbreak was only 7, representing a reduction of 85% compared with the mean of the two previous years. The faculty survey assessment revealed satisfaction with the course content but identified the need for updates. Most welcomed the inclusion of DATC within the course, promoting a trauma team approach.
Conclusions: The current trend is to offer the DSTC course in a DSTC + DATC format promoting trauma team training. Brazil, Sweden, and Australia are the three countries with the most significant number of courses delivered in the last five years. However, the number of courses offered in 2020 was reduced by 85% due to the COVID-19 worldwide restrictions.
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